In putting together this outfit I was inspired by the idea of tension between dark and light. I specifically thought of two collections; Prada Fall 2007, with its creative use of graduated hues to visually communicate light; and Lanvin Spring 2011, with its edgy leather harnesses and glamorous flowing silhouettes, was the source of the dark. I like to see dynamic energy in an outfit, and to go all black when using Zana Bayne as a starting point would have been too obvious. It was much more challenging to use lightly colored clothing.

The drapery of my Chaser top was the perfect way to riff on Lanvin, plus I love that it is impossibly soft. This shirt was one of many amazing finds I’ve had at Crossroads Trading in Wicker Park this summer. Flowy tops work with nearly everything in my closet, probably because I love the way a tightly tailored bottom (skirt or pant) looks against the contrast of an unstructured top. Lanvin dresses do this phenomenally well (here and here)

I bought my J.Crew linen skirt in college because it reminded me of sunlight, and of Prada’s fall collection that year. The linen fabric is simply divine, and J.Crew’s high quality textiles never disappoint me. I’ve inherited my mother’s love of linen clothing, one of her only sartorial preferences. I adore the way the yellow hue softly trickles upwards, it’s more subtle than I’m used to being with my fashion choices. When I bought it in late 2007 It was so clearly referencing the uber-popular Prada ombre collection that I couldn’t resist buying it. Plus, I have a strong affinity for pencil skirts which is completely understandable considering how much I love pants, since they give me a similar silhouette. Whenever I am wearing a skirt or dress around Jena, she’s always shocked enough to comment. “Amy, wow, you’re wearing a skirt!” I love to wear pants that much.

I pulled these Sam Edelman gladiator sandals from 2008 out of the back of my closet for this outfit. Although gladiators are outdated, they were the perfect footwear for this look since the leather straps complement the Zana Bayne leather necklace. Technically it’s a harness, but it has detachable straps. Zana is a rising star in fashion circles. Most recently, her work was featured on Lady Gaga and her dancers in the video You and I, and before that she has a massive editorial spread in i-D Magazine. Part of me wonders if Alber Elbaz was inspired by her basic harnesses for his Spring 2011 Lanvin collection when he fashioned nearly identical ones to restrain his lusciously flowing gowns…

Friends of mine are huge fans of the bold red lip, and Tiani in particular has been supportive of my shift away from dramatically-lined eyes to a red lip. Unlike most Southern-raised girls, I don’t believe “more is more” with make-up. It’s the opposite. Less is more. It’s strange how a bold red lip is the best way to pull a look together, more so than a dark eye. Without fail, red lipstick makes me feel more confident every time I wear it. At first it was overwhelming, but slowly I am becoming more comfortable with it.

*Also: Try not to take my personal outfit posts SO. SERIOUSLY. I’m having fun with my blog. This is just me sharing a little bit of myself and my own style, and the thinking that goes into the way I dress. I really admire all 1,000 people on my website who had the courage and strength to put themselves out there by letting me photograph them for my blog. I’m going to be brave like my subjects and photograph myself too from now on. You all are my greatest source of creative inspiration!